Manning Provincial Park (Lightning Lake)

E.C. Manning Provincial Park, covering more than 70,000 hectares of mountainous wilderness and stretching for 58 kilometres along Highway 3, is found within a 3-hour drive from Vancouver. There are 355 vehicle accessible campsites in 4 campgrounds (Coldspring, Hampton, Mule Deer, and Lightning Lake), and 10 wilderness / backcountry campgrounds. Manning Park offers endless outdoor recreation opportunities. There is an extensive network of hiking trails meandering through the forest and leading to lush alpine meadows, streams, and waterfalls. Trails range from short, easy walks to weeklong trips; horseback riding and mountain biking is allowed on some trails. A detailed map of the park and the trails can be picked up at the Visitor’s Centre 1 km east of the Manning Park Resort. Swimming, canoeing, and fishing are possible in Lightning Lake. Canoes and kayaks can be rented at the Lightning Lake day-use area. During the winter, Manning Park is popular for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, as well as downhill skiing. Winter camping, with no services, is permitted at Lightning Lake day-use area and at Lone Duck Group campground.

Lightning Lake campground, with 143 campsites, is located 41 km east of the west entrance to the park, 5 km off of Highway 3 near Manning Park Resort. This is the only campground in the park that offers hot showers, and all sites are reservable. There are several hiking/walking trails that begin at the campground. Lightning Lake is popular for swimming, fishing, and canoeing. Reservations are highly recommended at this campground.

Additional Information

Location

From Hope, drive approximately 100 km east on Highway 3 to Manning Park Resort, turn right and drive another 5 km to the Lightning Lake campground. From Princeton, drive approximately 67 km east to Manning Park Resort, then turn left and drive another 5 km to the campground.

Operation Dates

Campground opening and closing dates: June 5 – October 12 (Thanksgiving weekend). Campground dates with full fees and services: June 15 - September 3.

Campground reservable dates: June 15 – September 6.

Wintern camping, with no services, is available at the Lightning Lake day-use area and at Lone Duck Group campsite.

Facilities

Vehicle Accessible Camping

There are four summer drive-in campgrounds with a total of 355 sites in this park. There are also two areas set aside for winter camping. This campground, Lightning Lake, has 143 campsites all of which are reservable. Campsites at all other campgrounds are only available on first-come, first-served basis.

Walk-in / Wilderness Camping

Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping with limited facilities are provided at 10 wilderness campgrounds with a total of 55 sites. A detailed map of the park and the trails can be picked up at the Visitor%u2019s Centre 1 km east of the Manning Park Resort.

Group Camping

Two group campsites, Lone Duck I and Lone Duck II are available for summer camping. They are located 4 km off of Hwy 3. The turnoff to the campground is 41 km east of the west portal to the park. The group site offers a shelter complete with picnic tables and wood stove. Both sites overlook Lightning Lake. In order to qualify as a group you must have a minimum of 20 persons and a maximum of 50 persons per site. It is necessary to make a reservation by calling Gibson Pass Resort at 604-840 8842. The group campsites are open from May 18 to October 8. The Lone Duck 2 Group Site and Cambie Creek Group Site are open throughout the winter (reservation only). Please book by calling 604-795-6169. Group Camping Fee: $19.00 per party / night. Youth Group Camping Fee: $50.00 per group / night.

Cabins

Manning Park Resort includes motel/cabin rentals; a pub; a restaurant; gift shop/grocery store, canoe, boat, kayak, mountain bike rentals in the summer as well as snowshoe, nordic ski and alpine ski rentals in the winter. For more information about Manning Park Resort, please call 250-840-8822.

Campfires

Fires are permitted in the designated fire rings at vehicle-accessible campsites. Open fires are not permitted in Buckhorn and Kicking Horse wilderness sites. In the rest of the backcountry, open fires are not encouraged.

Showers

Showers are available for campers staying at the Lightning Lake campground. Campers registered at the Group Campsite can also use these showers.

Drinking Water

All wilderness campsites have a water source close by. During a long hot summer some creeks may dry up. Treatment of water is recommended.

RV Sani Station

A sani-station/dump is available during the collecting season. It is located 1 km east of Manning Park Lodge. Opening and closing dates are subject to change due to weather. Sani-station Use Fee: $2.00 per discharge.

Boat Launch

A boat launch is available next to the boat rental building at the Lightning Lake day-use area. No motorized boats are permitted, including electric motors.

Wheel Chair Accessibility

Sumallo Grove Interpretive trail, Lightning Lake day-use area and the washhouses in the Lightning Lake campground are wheelchair accessible.

Activities

Fishing

For the hardy hiker, Poland Lake and Nicomen Lake offer good fishing for rainbow trout. Lightning Lakes chain also offers fishing opportunities for small rainbow trout. No motorized boats are permitted in the park, including electric motors.

Hiking

There are 17 hiking trails available in this park, ranging from short and easy to long and strenuous. A detailed map of the park and the trails can be picked up at the Visitor%u2019s Centre 1 km east of the Manning Park Resort.

Canoeing / Kayaking

There are canoeing and kayaking opportunities on Lightning Lake. Canoe, kayak and rowboat rentals are available at Lightning Lake day-use area. Please contact Manning Park Resort at 250-840-8822 for more information.

Bicycling

Mountain bikers are asked to yield to hikers and horses. Mountain bikes are permitted on roadways and the following backcountry trails: Monument 83; Windy Joe; Poland Lake; East Similkameen; West Similkameen; Lone Duck; North Gibson and South Gibson.

Wildlife Watching

There are excellent opportunities to view a variety of wildlife in Manning Park. The animal life includes squirrels, chipmunks, marmots, pika, coyotes, beaver, muskrat, deer, bear, moose and most members of the cat family. More than 200 bird species have been spotted here. Some good locations to view wildlife include: Beaver Pond, Rein Orchid, Lightning Lakes Day Use Area, and the Similkameen Trail.

Hunting

Hunting is only permitted in these areas of Manning park (MU 2-17). These areas are only open to the discharge of firearms, bows and crossbows from September 10 to June 15. Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping regulations for more information.

Winter Recreation

There are backcountry trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing opportunities in the park. Downhill skiing is offered by the Manning Park Resort located in the park.

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